Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Lebanon, saying the state could come under the same level of destruction as Gaza. Appealing to the Lebanese people through a video message on October 8, 2024, he urged people to call for outlawing Hezbollah from the state and claimed that they could “save Lebanon” from such a fate. He urged them to use an opportunity to save Lebanon and act now to avoid a long, destructive war, just like in Gaza.
Netanyahu again emphasized that the movement of Hezbollah is weaker than it has ever been for years. Military operations by the Israeli forces in Lebanon continue gaining momentum lately, targeting the strongholds of Hezbollah in Beirut.
Gaza, partly destroyed during the past year by Israeli bombardments, has registered more than 41,965 deaths, according to Palestinian health authorities. Some 97% of its 2.3 million residents have had to be evacuated. Netanyahu pointed to the destruction of Gaza as a dire warning for Lebanon. He repeatedly stressed that this is Lebanon’s “chance to save” itself from a similar disaster.
Hezbollah has yet to give a response to Netanyahu’s speeches, but the incidents of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli army forces have intensified. Israel upped its ante with heavier airstrikes against Hezbollah cities after Hezbollah’s bombardments on Israeli cities.
He added that Israel has already eliminated many key Hezbollah leaders among whom, were considered successors to Hassan Nasrallah. It even went for the jugular, striking high-ranking officials of Hezbollah. The last in line was commander Hashem Safieddine, who was said to be the probable successor to Nasrallah. His fate remains unknown.
“We have degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities; we took out thousands of them including Nasrallah himself, and Nasrallah’s replacement, and the replacement of his replacement.”
Watch the video: Israel PM’s message to people of Lebanon: ‘you have an opportunity to save Lebanon’
Netanyahu’s message is directed at the Lebanese public:
“You have an opportunity to save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza.
“I say to you, the people of Lebanon: Free your country from Hezbollah so that this war can end.”
Lebanon is already experiencing an economic breakdown; more destruction would be catastrophic for the country. The international community is increasingly concerned as violence in the region worsens and Lebanon teeters on the edge of a cliff.
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